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N Pallotta

Publications and source records attributed to N Pallotta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Relationship between gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspeptic patients.

AIM: Delayed gastric emptying and an enlarged fasting gastric antrum are common findings in functional dyspepsia but their relationship with gastrointestinal (GI), and the frequently associated extra-GI symptoms remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between GI and extra-GI symptoms, fasting antral volume and delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia. METHODS: In 108 functional dyspeptic patients antral volume and gastric emptying were assessed with ultrasonography (US). Symptoms were assessed with standardized questionnaire. The association of symptoms and fasting antral volume with delayed gastric emptying was estimated with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Delayed gastric emptying was detected in 39.8% of the patients. Postprandial drowsiness (AOR 11.25; 95%CI 2.75-45.93), nausea (AOR 3.51; 95%CI 1.19-10.32), fasting antral volume (AOR 1.93; 95%CI 1.22-3.05), were significantly associated with delayed gastric emptying. Symptoms, mainly the extra-GI ones as postprandial drowsiness and nausea, combined with fasting antral volume predicted the modality of gastric emptying with a sensitivity and specificity of 78%. CONCLUSION: In functional dyspeptic patients, (1) an analysis of fasting antral volume and of symptoms can offer valuable indication on the modality of gastric emptying, and (2) it seems appropriate to inquire on postprandial drowsiness that showed the best correlation with delayed gastric emptying.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence of sexual and physical abuse and its relationship with symptom manifestations in patients with chronic organic and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

UNLABELLED: A history of physical and/or sexual abuse is a frequent occurrence in patients referred for chronic gastrointestinal disorders and it may predispose to the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders, and multiple medical complaints. This study was aimed to determine: (a) prevalence of abuse history in Italian patients with chronic gastrointestinal disturbances, and (b) relationship between abuse history and clinical manifestations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Consecutive gastrointestinal out-patients filled in a self-administered standardised questionnaire, made up of two separate sections: (1) a medical section enquiring on gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal symptoms, and (2) a section on abuse enquiring on the presence and type of abuse suffered during their lifetime. Associations between number of symptoms and abuse history were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic models. RESULTS: Questionnaires were handed out to 260 patients; 13% of whom did not fill in the questionnaires. Functional gastrointestinal disorders were diagnosed in 72.5% of patients and organic gastrointestinal diseases in 27.5%. A total of 31% of patients with organic gastrointestinal diseases and 32% of those with functional gastrointestinal disorders referred to a history of sexual or physical abuse. Histories of physical plus sexual abuse, sexual abuse, childhood abuse and female gender, were statistically associated with an increased number of gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal symptoms irrespective of functional or organic disorders, whereas there was no statistical association with physical abuse only. Furthermore, diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders was associated with a significantly (p<0.001) greater number of gastrointestinal symptoms than the diagnosis of organic gastrointestinal diagnosis. A total of 10 patients met the diagnostic criteria of somatization disorder. Of these, eight reported a history of severe physical and sexual abuse that had occurred, in all but one, during childhood. CONCLUSIONS: A history of physical and/or sexual abuse has a high prevalence in Italian patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders, irrespective of organic or functional diagnosis. Abuse history has no relevant role in the pathogenesis of either functional or organic chronic gastrointestinal disorders but it can affect their clinical expression irrespective of functional or organic diagnosis. Severe physical and sexual abuse and childhood abuse were found in patients who met diagnostic criteria for somatization disorder, suggesting a role of abuse history in this subset of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Ultrasonography in the assessment of gallbladder motor activity.

Ultrasonography is an accurate and useful method for studying gallbladder volume variations and thus indirectly gallbladder emptying and refilling in humans. It has been shown that gallbladder main motor function is the result of a bellows-like mechanism with outflow and inflow of bile occurring during continuously alternating phases of gallbladder emptying and filling, that in turn lead to bile recycling within the gallbladder. Therefore, bile flux through the gallbladder cannot be properly expressed by time and rate of gallbladder emptying and gallbladder ejection fraction. In an attempt to analyse the gallbladder volume-hepatic bile flux relationship, simultaneous assessment of the gallbladder volume variations at ultrasonography and of the labelled bile in the gallbladder at cholescintigraphy during continuous infusion of an hydroxy iminodiacetic acid compound has been carried out. By applying a mathematical model to the analysis of gallbladder volume ultrasonography measurements, it is possible to measure the flux of bile through the gallbladder. By validating ultrasonography assessment of gallbladder volume variations with quantitative cholescintigraphy, it has been shown that the single non-invasive ultrasonography technique with serial frequent measurements of the gallbladder volume enables separate estimation of the flux of bile through the gallbladder in humans and in physiological conditions. In the postprandial state, hepatic bile was mainly: (1) stored in the gallbladder in a first phase; (2) emptied from the gallbladder in a second phase; and (3) stored in the gallbladder in a third phase. The amount of bile flowing bidirectionally through the cystic duct was about fivefold greater than that estimated with the usually employed variables, such as gallbladder ejection fraction or emptying and refilling delta volume. The mathematical analysis of minute-by-minute ultrasonography measurements of gallbladder volume variations yields both physiological and pathological insights. In healthy volunteers, it has been shown that: (1) caloric content of meals affects the total amount of bile recycled by the gallbladder; and (2) fat content of meals affects the modality of gallbladder emptying and refilling but does not affect the total amount of bile recycled by the gallbladder. In gallstone patients, a decreased turnover of bile has been shown which may contribute to cholesterol crystal precipitation and stone growth. In conclusion, unlike conventional variables used to assess gallbladder motor function such as gallbladder ejection fraction and rate of gallbladder emptying, mathematical analysis of frequent ultrasonography measurements of gallbladder volume variations enables non-invasive estimation of bile flow through the gallbladder in normal and abnormal physiological conditions.

Bile↗
PubMed2002

Outcome of endoscopic sphincterotomy in post cholecystectomy patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction as predicted by manometry and quantitative choledochoscintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is diagnosed at manometry and, after cholecystectomy, non-invasively at quantitative choledochoscintigraphy. Patients may benefit from endoscopic sphincterotomy. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of choledochoscintigraphy compared with manometry in predicting outcome of sphincterotomy in post cholecystectomy patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with biliary-type pain complying with the Rome diagnostic criteria of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and belonging to biliary group I and II were subjected to clinical evaluation, choledochoscintigraphic assessment of the hepatic hilum-duodenum transit time, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and perendoscopic manometry. Twenty two biliary group I and II patients with prolonged hepatic hilum-duodenum transit times were invited to undergo sphincterotomy. Fourteen patients underwent sphincterotomy; eight refused. Clinical and scintigraphic assessments were performed at follow up. RESULTS: Hepatic hilum-duodenum transit time was delayed in all patients with manometric evidence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, in all biliary group I patients and in 64% of biliary group II patients. At follow up, all patients who underwent sphincterotomy were symptom free and hepatic hilum-duodenum transit time had either normalised or significantly improved. A favourable post sphincterotomy outcome was predicted in 93% of cases at choledochoscintigraphy and in 57% at manometry. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative choledochoscintigraphy is a useful and non-invasive test to diagnose sphincter of Oddi dysfunction as well as a reliable predictor of sphincterotomy outcome in post cholecystectomy biliary group I and II patients, irrespective of clinical classification and manometric findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Small intestine contrast ultrasonography (SICUS) in the diagnosis of small intestine lesions.

After the ingestion of iso-osmolar polyethylene glycol solution, the small bowel can be visualized on ultrasonography. The aim of this study was to assess sensitivity and specificity of SICUS in diagnosis of small bowel lesions. A total of 53 consecutive patients with suspected intestinal pathology underwent a diagnostic workup, including a small bowel follow-through and SICUS performed by independent operators. The sonologist was unaware of the clinical data. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were assessed using radiologic findings. Diagnostic sensitivity of SICUS was 100%, with a specificity of 97%. The concordance index was 0.956 (p < 0.003, kappa statistics) and the conformity between SICUS and radiology was 1. The diagnostic accuracy of SICUS to detect small bowel lesions is comparable to that of small bowel follow-through. Results of this study support the use of noninvasive, widely available, inexpensive, and nondemanding SICUS as an initial investigation in patients with suspected small bowel disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Increased sphincter of Oddi basal pressure in patients affected by gall stone disease: a role for biliary stasis and colicky pain?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Even if the motor activity of the gall bladder and sphincter of Oddi (SO) are integrated, it is not known if the presence of stones in the gall bladder affects SO function. The aim of the study was to compare SO motor activity in patients with and without gall stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a series of 155 patients consecutively submitted to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and SO manometry for suspected biliary or pancreatic disease, 23 gall stone patients had recurrent episodes of biliary or pancreatic pain (colicky group); 52 patients had non-biliary/pancreatic-type abdominal pain/discomfort, and of these, 15 had gall stones (non-colicky group), 25 were free of stones (controls), and 12 had undergone cholecystectomy. RESULTS: SO basal pressure in gall stone patients in the colicky or non-colicky group was significantly higher than in controls (p<0.001). SO basal pressure recorded in postcholecystectomy patients did not differ from controls. SO phasic activity did not differ between the patient groups. SO dysfunction was detected in more than 40% of gall stone patients irrespective of associated biliary/pancreatic pain but in none of the control subjects (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Gall stones are frequently associated with increased SO tone which may obstruct bile flow thus acting to facilitate gall bladder stasis, and may play a role as a cofactor in biliary/pancreatic pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Small intestine contrast ultrasonography.

The entire small bowel can be visualized on ultrasonography after ingestion of nonabsorbable, isosmotic polyethylene glycol electrolyte balanced oral solution, termed small intestine contrast ultrasonography. The aims of this study were to assess whether the ingestion of different volumes of sonographic contrast solution may differently affect (1) small bowel distention and thus its sonographic appearance and (2) the time to visualize the entire small intestine. An additional aim was to identify the minimal amount of contrast solution necessary to visualize the entire small bowel. An ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen was performed twice in six healthy subjects after the ingestion of the isosmotic polyethylene glycol solution. During the first investigation each subject was asked to drink increasing amounts of sonographic contrast solution until the jejunum was visualized at ultrasonography. During the second investigation each subject was asked to drink increasing amounts of sonographic contrast solution, not to exceed a total volume of 260 ml. At the first examination the entire small bowel was visualized 39.3 +/- 17 min after ingestion of 647 +/- 105 ml of contrast solution. At the second examination the entire small bowel was visualized 43.5 +/- 13.5 min (not significant with respect to the first study) after the ingestion of 239 +/- 32 ml of contrast solution (P < 0.01 versus the first study). The mean luminal diameter and wall thickness at three intestinal levels did not differ in the two studies and were not statistically related to the amount of ingested sonographic contrast solution. Loose stools were the only side effect and were reported after the ingestion of more than 600 ml. Ultrasonography offers reproducible information on the morphology of the contrast agent-filled small bowel after ingestion of a wide range of volumes (175 to 820 ml) of isosmotic polyethylene glycol electrolyte balanced solution. On average, the entire small intestine could be visualized on ultrasonography by about 45 min after the ingestion of 600 ml or less of contrast solution without any side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Contrast ultrasonography of the normal small bowel.

In basal conditions, the small bowel loops cannot be properly visualized by means of real-time ultrasound (US). Aims of this study were: 1. to assess whether an isosmolar solution containing a nondigestable, nonabsorbable and nonfermentable hydrophilic macro molecule, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), can be profitably used as a contrast agent to visualize the entire small intestine with US (small intestine contrast ultrasonography, SICUS); and 2. to define the normal US values of wall thickness and luminal diameter of the jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum. Real-time ultrasonography was performed in 10 healthy volunteers with 4-and 5-MHz linear-array transducers in basal fasting conditions and after ingestion of an isosmolar PEG solution. In basal fasting conditions, only a few segments of jejunum and/or ileum could be visualized in some of the investigated subjects. After ingestion of the contrast solution, the entire small bowel could be visualized in any single subject. A contrast sonography of the entire small bowel could be satisfactorily performed with 200 mL-820 mL of contrast solution in a time period that did not exceed 65 min. Luminal diameter at the level of the jejunum (19 +/- 2.3 mm) and proximal ileum (18 +/- 1.8 mm) was significantly greater (p < 0.01) than at the level of distal ileum (16.4 +/- 2.8 mm). Wall thickness was greater at the level of the terminal ileum (2 +/- 0.4 mm) than of the jejunum (1.6 +/- 0.5 mm) but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Details such as valvulae conniventes and multilayered structure of the wall could be recognized. In conclusion, after the ingestion of an isosmolar PEG electrolyte balanced solution, it is possible to visualize with ultrasonography the entire small intestine and to measure wall thickness and luminal diameter of the jejunum, the ileum and the terminal ileum. Such a noninvasive, inexpensive method can be used to investigate the morphological aspects of the small bowel.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Noninvasive estimate of bile flux through the gallbladder in humans.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether a single noninvasive technique, ultrasonography, is able in vivo: 1) to evaluate the time-related patterns of gallbladder bile storage and emptying, and 2) to quantitate the amount of bile flux through the gallbladder (GB). METHODS: Healthy volunteers were submitted to the simultaneous assessment of gallbladder volume variations by frequent serial ultrasonographic (US) measurements and of hepatic bile flow through the GB by quantitative cholescintigraphy (QC) during continuous i.v. infusion of 99 mTc-HIDA. An ad hoc mathematical analysis of US GB volume measurements was used to estimate the amount of bile flux through the GB. The QC-derived measurements of the flux of hepatic bile through the GB was used to substantiate the US-derived estimates. RESULTS: The curves expressing the time-related GB handling of hepatic bile obtained independently from US and QC measurements were statistically equivalent, and both techniques showed that the patterns and the amount of hepatic bile handled by the gallbladder after meal ingestion is remarkably different during three successive phases. After meals, hepatic bile was mainly 1) stored in the GB in the first phase; 2) emptied from the GB in a second phase; and 3) stored in the GB in the third phase. The ultrasonographic analysis estimated that 1) 23.8+/-12.5 ml (0.44+/-0.11 ml/min), 5.1+/-3.9 ml (0.15+/-0.10 ml/min), and 33.2+/-10.5 ml (0.53+/-0.16 ml/min) of hepatic bile entered into the GB during the three successive postprandial phases, and 2) the entire amount of bile flowing bidirectionally through the cystic duct, during the observation period (132.6+/-23.3 ml) was about five-fold greater than that estimated by the usually employed variables. CONCLUSION: The proposed mathematical analysis of frequent ultrasonographic measurements of the GB volumes enables one to estimate noninvasively the flux of bile through the gallbladder in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antro-pyloric contractile patterns and transpyloric flow after meal ingestion in humans.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the patterns of antral contractility and pylorus opening and closure in relation to transpyloric flow of a nutrient liquid meal. METHODS: Ultrasound images of the antro-pyloro-duodenal tract were continuously tape-recorded in healthy volunteers for 1 h postprandially and were reviewed twice later by independent observers. Episodes and patterns of pylorus opening and closure, antral-wall contractions, and transpyloric flow were assessed separately and their time relations were identified. RESULTS: Transpyloric flow (forward, 56%+/-13%; retrograde, 19%+/-11%; and to and fro, 25%+/-14%) occurred essentially during episodes of prolonged pylorus opening not associated with occlusive antral or duodenal proximal contraction, which represented the antro-pyloro-duodenal common chamber. The antro-pyloro-duodenal common chamber lasted on average 36+/-12 s and represented 41%+/-12% of the total observation period. Different patterns of antral contractions were identified according to whether they reached or occluded the terminal antrum and pylorus. Preterminal antral contractions (46%+/-12%) did not propagate beyond the proximal two thirds of the antrum. Terminal antral contractions (54%+/-12%) propagated along the entire antrum and could either occlude (20%+/-9%) or not occlude (42%+/-17%) the lumen. Pyloric opening independent of antral contractions and related to nonocclusive antral contractions could occur equally at the onset of the antro-pyloro-duodenal common chamber. Pyloric closure independent of antral contractions put an end to transpyloric flow in 73%+/-6% of the antro-pyloro-duodenal common chamber. CONCLUSIONS: The final passage of contents from the stomach to the duodenum after the ingestion of a caloric liquid meal is the result of one or more episodes of uni- or bi-directional transpyloric flow, which are regulated by several motor events. The contractile states of the antrum and pylorus show specific features that variably interrelate to provide mixing and to regulate the transpyloric flow of ingesta. A crucial regulator of transpyloric flow appears to be the spatio-temporal relation between antral contractions and pyloric closure rather than the contractile events per se. An equal number of pyloric openings related, and unrelated, to antral contractions appears to determine the onset of the antro-pyloro-duodenal common chamber and, thus, of transpyloric flow. Pyloric closure unrelated to antral contractions appears to be the main mechanism that interrupts transpyloric flow. In conclusion, it appears that the antro-pyloro-duodenal tract acts as a functional unit in the digestion of a liquid caloric meal.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Hepatoduodenal bile transit in cholecystectomized subjects. Relationship with sphincter of Oddi function and diagnostic value.

The hepatic hilum-duodenum transit time (HHDT) was evaluated in cholecystectomized subjects to assess its relationship with the motor function of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and its diagnostic accuracy in the detection of SO dysfunction. The study was performed in asymptomatic controls and symptomatic patients with SO dysfunction before and after sphincterotomy. HHDT showed a direct correlation with manometric SO maximal basal pressure (r = 0.77; P < 0.001) but not with SO phasic activity. In sphincterotomized subjects HHDT did not differ from that of the asymptomatic subjects, and HHDT, which was prolonged before sphincterotomy, normalized after sphincterotomy. HHDT had a 100% specificity and an 83% sensitivity in diagnosing SO dysfunction when compared to SO manometry. In conclusion, the cholescintigraphic HHDT is mainly related to the SO maximal basal pressure, presenting an elevated specificity and a satisfactory sensitivity in the diagnosis of SO dysfunction in cholecystectomized subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Gallbladder volume variations after meal ingestion.

OBJECTIVE: To assess gallbladder (GB) volume variations in response to a standard meal. METHODS: We assessed these variations with ultrasonography at brief intervals over the postprandial period, which included the emptying and refilling phases of the GB. RESULTS: During both emptying and refilling of the GB, the volume fluctuated continuously, with brief alternating volume decrements and increments. The phases of emptying and refilling appear to be the net result of the algebraic sum of these volume fluctuations. In the emptying phase, the volume decrements showed a greater volume (35.7 +/- 10.7 ml vs. 14.8 +/- 8.4 ml) and lasted longer (158 +/- 37 min vs. 85 +/- 44 min) than the volume increments, whereas the opposite took place in the refilling phase (4.3 +/- 3.4 ml vs. 16.4 +/- 12.2 ml; 39 +/- 20 min vs. 84 +/- 37 min). CONCLUSION: It is probable that the continuous GB volume fluctuations are the expression of hepatic bile recycling in the GB during the entire postprandial period, and the amount of bile recycled by the GB is greater during the emptying than the refilling phase.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Calcium polycarbophil in clinical practice. The therapy of constipation].

The clinical efficacy of polycarbophil calcium was assessed in 57 patients of both sexes aged between 18 and 77 years old affected by chronic non-organic constipation. The multicentre study was performed using a single blind and cross-over protocol for 8 weeks, 4 with placebo and 4 with the drug (2 c.p.s 3 t.i.d). Thirteen patients failed to complete the study, 8 of them for reasons not related to the drug. In comparison to placebo, the drug caused a significant reduction in the consistency of stool and evacuatory force during the first week of stool therapy. Medical judgement was that efficacy was "very good" in 73% and "good" in 18%, whereas the drug was thought to be "non efficacious" in 9% of cases. The statistical analysis of data confirmed the efficacy of the drug. The hematochemical parameters evaluated before, during and after treatment only showed a slight increase in calcemia and calciuria which did not reach statistical significance. The therapeutic efficacy and lack of undesired effects confirm the value of polycarbophyl calcium in the treatment of chronic constipation.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1990

Oral administration of loxiglumide (CCK antagonist) inhibits postprandial gallbladder contraction without affecting gastric emptying.

The effect of a single oral dose of loxiglumide, a cholecystokinin antagonist, on postprandial gallbladder contraction and on gastric emptying was evaluated in humans. Following a 12-hr fasting period, two tablets of loxiglumide (400 mg each) or placebo was administered on different days, in random order and in a double-blind fashion to 10 healthy volunteers 15 min before the ingestion of a 1050-kcal standard meal. Gallbladder and antral volumes were measured by real-time ultrasonography in basal conditions and at fixed time intervals after the meal. Oral loxiglumide administration was followed by a total inhibition of the gallbladder contraction for 60 min after the end of the meal ingestion. Thereafter, up to the end of the study period, gallbladder volume was larger than that of the placebo study (at 300 min after the meal 2.7 +/- 1.6 ml after placebo and 8.2 +/- 3.5 ml after loxiglumide; P less than 0.008). No difference between placebo and loxiglumide was found in the antral volumes at any time interval (postprandial 63.5 +/- 16.5 ml after placebo and 59.4 +/- 24 ml after loxiglumide; at 300 min after the meal 20.8 +/- 13.3 ml after placebo and 18.9 +/- 9.5 ml after loxiglumide). In conclusion, a single oral dose of loxiglumide at the dose of 800 mg can inhibit postprandial gallbladder contraction without affecting gastric emptying. It would therefore appear that in man endogenous CCK, released after a solid-liquid, caloric, nutrient-balanced meal, plays a major role in the contraction of the gallbladder but does not affect gastric emptying.

Administration, Oral↗